Classical Text 古典文獻 · Dao De Jing 道德經
Chapter 5 — The Inexhaustible Void
虛用
Part I — The Dao 上篇·道經
Original Verse
原文
天地不仁，
以萬物為蔥犬；
聖人不仁，
以百姓為蔥犬。
天地之間，
其爲橘簿且？
虛而不屈，
動而愈出。
多言數窄，
不如守中。
English Translation
英譯
Heaven and Earth are not "humane";
They treat the ten thousand things as straw dogs.
The Sage is not "humane";
He treats the people as straw dogs.
The space between Heaven and Earth is like a bellows;
It is empty yet inexhaustible;
The more it moves, the more it yields.
Many words lead to exhaustion;
Better to hold to the center.
Key Concepts
核心概念
- Liuren Fajiao (六壽法教)
- The ritual magic tradition of the Fuying Hall lineage. A system of Fa (法) practice combining incantations, talismans, Altars, Hand Seals, and ritual procedures. Not a divination system.
- Straw Dogs
- In Liuren practice, this refers to the understanding that ritual tools and forms are temporary means to an end, not to be clung to.
- Bellows
- The practitioner's role is to be a vessel that channels the infinite power of the Dao without claiming ownership.
Liuren Fajiao Commentary
六壬法教注疏
In Liuren Fajiao, the reference to "straw dogs" is particularly relevant. In our rituals, we create temporary tools and forms—talismans, seals, altars. They are powerful for their purpose but are ultimately discarded, like the straw dogs used in ancient rituals. This teaches us not to become attached to the forms themselves.
The "bellows" metaphor is central to our understanding of the practitioner's role. We are not the source of power but the vessel that channels it. The more we empty ourselves (虛而不屈), the more the infinite power of the Dao flows through us.
"Holding to the center" (守中) is a core principle in our meditation and ritual practice. It means maintaining our connection to the primordial Dao while engaging with the manifested world.
Complete Dao De Jing Explanation
Source: Dao De Jing (道德經), Chapter 5